
(I.ISS Co 7/ 

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JOAN 
aiNSWORTH 

DUj^^sr 




JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 




John Aiiisworth Dunn 



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JOHN 
AINS WORTH 

I) U N N 

GARDNER 
MASSACHUSETTS 




Chair Prcsoitid to President RoosiVelt 



COMPn.KI) AM> I'l lil.lSlir.I) BY 

REV. SETH COOLEY GARY 

DORCHESTER C lO N T E R 
BOSTON, MASS. 

1 00 s 



'\Qn!vW IL . Vu vjLnru-w 



PRESS OP 

MURRAY AND EMERV COMPANY 

BOSTON 



INTRODUCTION 

/I true life is far greater than we know, and snb~ 
■^ ■*■ limer than we think. To the ordinary conception, 
it is made up only of struggle, care and pain. But a 
deeper view reveals a royal opportunity for the 
expression of love and devotion. 

Struggle and toil and ambitions are only Love writ 
large. Because at the root, all effort is the desire to 
bless, ami to crown life with the dignity to which it 
is entitled. 

We trust this faint limning of another life will add 
a new example of achievement, and mayimp incite 
another to exclaim 

" Thou canst not fail 
Except thou yield." 



[I* age eleven] 




CT~'lic mere traddioti oj a (/rcitt (uirrslnj liii.s .soinc- 
times helped risihli/ fo mould the chamders of 

mm irlti) ircrc nilrnisicidl if slronq rtioiujh to stand 
(iloiic. Rci'cncs (ilxiul hisliinc Imili mnl ihr IcdfhinCf 
idioiit hislonc jorciidiTs Irii-c j ri'ijiinilhi qii-cii color 
lo II lijcliinc. ci'i'ii irhi II the iiiiiii irlm has ni- 
ditk/ed ill them Ijore X(diire'.s oini .s-lmii/j llnd he 
was one of the ehosen jeir irho arc to h'liid doit n 
greatness rather than dcriee it." 



/'(/(/(■ lirclre] 




Mrs. Dunn 




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.7077 A^ ATNRWORTir DUNN 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 

111 1785 Gardner was incorporated as a town, having been carved 
out of Ashburnham, Westminster, Templeton and Winchendon. It 
is twenty-seven miles from Worcester, and sixty-five from Boston. 
Seated on her Seven Hills, with her villages straggling down the slopes 
and along her valleys, she claims to be the largest chair manufacturing 
community in the world. One finds handsome churches, modern 
school buildings, costly residences, comfortable homes of the people, 
all of which emphasize the common impulse that binds together 
employer and employed. 

This old town has a history abounding in the works of men of 
strong and marked personality, who Ikivc made the community con- 
spicuous, a landmark in the industrial and commercial world, and 
among these stands the name of John A. Dunn. 

He was born in the adjoining town of Westminster, November 
2, 1831, in the old Jackson house, where his mother was born and that 
sheltered other generations of the family, almost from its first settle- 
ment. When about six years of age the family removed to Petersham, 
where he had the usual advantages of education that farmers' boys 
then enjoyed. Until he was sixteen he helped on the farm, and then 
began to assist the neighbors, continuing this till his twentieth year, 
when, in consideration of the gift of his earnings up to that time, his 
father released all claim on his services. 

His first experience in the chair business was in 1852, when he 
worked in a factory in East Gardner, just below the farm of his great- 
grandfather, giving three months' time to learn the art, which he has 
practised so many years. He also worked for a time in Fitchburg, 
and afterward in Ashburnham. In 1855, with less than fifty dollars 
in his pocket, he came to Gardner, finding employment in the works 
of the Heywood Chair Manufacturing Company, where he remained 
for the next nine years. 

Many years before this, Elijah Putnam, who had been an appren- 
tice of James M. Comee, the father of the chair business in Gardner, 

[^Page sevenleeu ] 




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T. 



r. 



JOIIX AfNSlVORTH DUXN 

was actively engaged as a manufacturer. Beginning business in 1825, 
in a room in his dwelling-house, with a foot lathe as his only machinery, 
he, at a later date, built a shop on or near the Scollay place at the 
Center, for his expanding business, and to meet the demands of the 
trade. In 1838, he bought of William S. Lynde a mill privilege, and, 
building a dam, removed his shop to this site. At the end of seven 
years, he sold the plant to Comee, Collester & Co. the firm consisting 
of Thorley Collester, Benjamin H. Rugg and Ruel I. Comee. After- 
wards Maro Collester and Edward Stevens bought the interest of 
Mr. Comee, and the firm name was changed to Collester, Rugg & 
Co. At a later date, Franklin and George Eaton took the places of 
^Vlaro Collester and Edward Stevens. 

In 1862, Franklin Eaton purchased the interest of Mr. Rugg, 
and the firm became Collester, Eaton & Co., until in 1864, when 
Thorley Collester died, and his interest was purchased by Nathaniel 
Holmes and John A. Dunn, and the firm became Eaton, Holmes & 
Co. Years afterward it came out that Mr. Dunn secured this place 
because of his reputation for industry, economy and persistence. 
Soon after this the company bought the interest of George Eaton, 
]\Ir. Holmes retired in 1865, and Eaton and Dunn carried on the 
business until 1875. 

In that year Mr. Eaton sold his interest to Isaac J. Dunn, a brother 
to John A. Dunn, and until 1886 the firm was J. A. & I. J. Dunn, 
when John A. Dunn bought his brother's interest, and became the sole 
owner of the plant. 

When Mr. Dunn entered the firm in 1864, the business amounted 
to about $2000 per month, and there has been a steady increase prac- 
tically every month since. They had a 25 horsepower steam engine 
and a water wheel; in 1870 a new 100 horsepower engine was put in, 
and after a time the water wheel was taken out; they now use more 
than 450 horsepower, to which has been added electric power for some 
parts of the work, and this will soon need to be largely supplemented. 

But these improvements did not stop here. The multiplied 
demands for his products, and the narrowing margin of j)rofits, made 
it imperative that more rapid processes of manufacture and better 
methods and greater economy must be developed in order to meet 

[Page nineteen] 




.loliii A. Dunn ( '(ini| ;iiiy"- \N ;ii«'li()ii><'. ( liiciifjo 



.JOHN AINRWORrn DUNN 

these modern conditions. Here is the j)lace where Mr. Dunn showed 
his strong points; for added to his thorough knowledge of every detail 
of the chair business there was a peculiar fitness in his native inventive 
genius for the adaptation of methods old and new in inventing anfl 
adapting machinery to the various and multiplied uses in the turning 
out of the best products from his shop. So, as might be expected, his 
factory is filled with machinery and appliances made by him for the 
many and peculiar operations required in the manufacture of chairs. 
All this plaied him in the front rank as a manufacturer, and his shrewd 
and far-seeing business sense in meeting the demands of a constantly 
changing market combined to make him the success he has become. 
Possibly some thought that he was too much absorbed in his business 
to be genial, and too aggressive to be popular. It might be said of 
him what was said of another: "When any one opposed his plans andi 
showed that they wsere impossible, I noticed that he never argued, he- 
just went on working." 

In connection with the manufacturing plant at Gardner, offices, 
and warehouses are maintained at Chicago, Boston, and St. Paul, and 
in addition to the business passing through these houses, Mr. Dunn 
has a large direct trade with the principal chair manufacturers at home 
and abroad. 

The night of March '■2Q, 190^2, will long be remembered by the 
townspeople as the time of the fire that destroyed the chair factory. 
The Gardner Journal of the next day, said: "The coolest man during 
all the excitement was John A. Dunn. He is used to receiving hard 
knocks, and isn't easily disheartened. He cracked jokes with his 
friends, and declared that he was ready to take off his coat and begin 
again. His calm, cool manner did much to quiet the fears of his 
co-workers, and his skillful generalship saved much valuable property. 
The employees so suddenly thrown out of work were notified that the 
factory would be rebuilt as soon as possible; that the manufacturing 
would be continued temporarily in some of the buildings still standings 
and that all of the old employees would be needed." 

The new factory, built of brick, and very greatly enlarged, well 
protected against fire, and with greatly improved conveniences for 
manufacturing, was ready for occupancy in about a year from the time 

[Par/c firciitif-nne] 




c 

V. 

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o 



JOHN AiNswonrn dunn 

of the fire. But other losses by fire have been his lot, and both at 
Chicago and Boston has this been experienced. 

August 1, 1902, the manufacturing interests of John A. Dunn 
passed into the control of a stock company, being known as the John 
A. Dunn Company, with the following oflBcers: President, John A. 
Dunn; Vice-President, George A. Dunn; Secretary-Treasurer, Frank 
C. Dunn. 

The mere accumulation of wealth has by no means been the sole 
ambition of Mr. Dunn. The limited education Avhich he received in 
early life was for him the beginning, instead of the end of mental 
discipline. His business became his university, and every department 
in his increasing interests was simply a new school of learning, from 
which he never expects to graduate. 

There is no better test of a man's cultivation, than his home; in 
this home the marks of culture are everywhere ap])arent, to which 
travel at home and abroad has added its tribute of ornament and 
beauty. 

The confidence reposed in Mr. Dunn by his fellow citizens and the 
esteem in which he is held are sufficiently indicated by the positions of 
trust and responsibility to which he has been called. In the church 
he has held almost every position that a layman may receive, while in 
the community he has been the trusted adviser of many. 

About the year 1873 he saw fit to sever his relation with the Con- 
gregational Church, of which he was an active and leading member, 
and unite with the Methodist Episcopal Church, then worshiping in 
a chapel in the West Village. In 1875, this edifice having been prac- 
tically outgrown, the erection of a new church building began to be 
mooted, and in this movement he became greatly interested. The 
pastor had in him an efficient co-worker, a wise planner and a steadfast 
friend. The new scheme was a complete success, and resulted in the 
erection and complete furnishing of the Chestnut Street ATethodist 
Episcopal Church, with every item of expense ])rovided for. But 
this was made a much greater success by the erection of a parsonage, 
adjoining the church, and gave the pastor a better house to live in than 
Mr. Dunn himself occupied. 

In order to meet the needs of a growing family, he buill a new 

[/'(/r/r I ir(iili/-llirce] 



JOHX AINSWORTII DUNX 

house on the old lot at No. 91 Central Street, which was occupied in 
January, 1882. 

Anything that seemed to be for the benefit of tlie town was of 
peculiar interest to him, and it was largely through his influence that 
many public improvements and new enterprises were begun. The 
rapidly growing village of West Gardner was without jwst-ofEce 
accommodations, and the people were obliged to go to the Center for 
their mail. Comprehending the situation, and seeing the great advan- 
tage to the business interests of the manufacturers, as well as the 
citizens generally, he took the necessary steps to establish an office 
there, and was successful, although bitterly opposed by many of the 
leading men of the town. Some years later, seeing the demand for 
free delivery, he began working for this improvement, and was largely 
instrumental in its establishment. These and other benefits did not 
come easily, for Gardner is a conservative town, and it needed some 
one with unflinching, unyielding determination and courage to accom- 
plish these beneficent ends. 

He was also impressed that more generous methods and less 
partisan tactics should obtain in controlling the commercial interests 
of the community, and on hearing that the Westminster National 
Bank had some thought of removing, he made an eftort to have it 
locate in Gardner. In this he was successful, and the bank was 
located near the depot, and became the W'estminster National Bank 
of Gardner. At that time the bank had deposits of about $(),5,()00. 
and this has increased to more than $600,000, making it the largest 
financial institution in the vicinity. He was made president soon 
after its removal. 

The Gardner Gas, Fuel and Light Company was an important 
business interest, and for the benefit of the citizens of the town, he 
felt that it should remain an independent corporation, because of his 
firm conviction that competition in those matters which have to do 
with the public good is necessary for the best service. He is now- 
serving as president of the company. 

In the spring of 1896 Mr. Dunn ])urchased of the Cliarles Ileywood 
heirs, thirty-five acres of land lying between Pearl Street and the old 
W'estminster Road; of the Morrill estate seven acres, and of the Howe 

[PcK/r tircnli/'pir] 



./0//.V Afxsuoirn/ nrw 

heirs tliirly-five acres, which, with additions since made, he proposes 
to fjivc to the town for a public park. This land skirts the charming 
Hetty Sprin*:: UojkI, and iiichides some of the most heantiful wooded 
land in (iardiicr. It comprises a sweep of grassy meadow, an area of 
rough and wild territory, and a lake to be made out ol' the meadow 
where the l)rook rims through it, thus including witliin its limits a 
variety of natural scenery. With characteristic energy an<l devotion 
to the put)lie weal, it is his intention to sj)end considerable on the land, 
in a maimer calculated to enhance its natural scenic attractions. 

November 30, 1857, Mr. Dunn married Sophia Walker, daughter 
of Rufus and Experience (Porter) Chaffee, of Lyndon, \'ermont, and 
he attributes much of his success to the wisdom and counsel of this 
noble woman. Their family consists of two sons and two daughters. 

For busy peo[)le they have travelled extensively. They were the 
first in the community to cross the continent, whii'li they did in IST-J; 
since which time they have visited California three times. They 
spent the summer of 1884 in Europe, and in 18!).3 went to Egypt, 
Palestine and Constantinople, returning through central Europe. 

Their benevolences have been broad, liberal, and largely personal, 
and are known chiefly to themselves and the recipients. The work of 
Tuissions at home and abroad has had a j)rominent place, and their 
church leads the District in this world-wide benefaction. 

lint the great field of their active energies has been the home. 
To conduct this so that young people prefer it to any other place, is 
an accomplishment that touches the highest levels. That they stood 
at the head of the home was a fact SO patent that it was lu^ver ({uestioned; 
and yet so (juietly and lovingly was this maintained, that none seemed 
to realize that their individuality was not taken into consideration. 
In this matter they stood finnly together, and the j)eculiar qualities 
of each comj)lemented tho.se of the other. Here there were no divided 
counsels, no waste of energy, but sympathetic ami helpful unity in 
their purpo.se to make a Home for themselves and their family. 

Children: 

1. Jennie Sophia, born Aj)ril 1.'5. ISd-^; was graduated from the 
Seminary at Montpelier, \'ermont. lS8'-2, and Boston 
T'niversitv School of Medicine. 1SS7; practised in Worcester 

[Page twenty-six] 



JOHN AI NSW OUT II DUNN 

and Boston; married Rev. Seth C. Gary, November 20, 
189.5. (See Gary family.) 

2. George Ainsworth, born January 23, 1807; was graduated 

from the High School, 1885, and from Boston University 
in 1889. Is \-ice-president of the John A. Dunn Company. 
May 26, 1897, married Anna Merrick (Boston University, 
'91), daughter of Rev. William Fairfield Warren, LL.D., 
for thirty years President of Boston University, and Harriett 
Merrick, born May 26, 1868. They were abroad in 1897 
and 1907. 
Gliildren : 

(1). Winnifred Warren, born November 27, 1899. 

(2). John Ainsworth, born December 14, 1901. 

(3). William Warren, born February 16, 1903. 

3. Frank Chaffee, born November 22, 1869. educated in the 

public schools of the town, which has been largelv su])ple- 
mented by wdde reading and foreign travel. He is the 
secretary and treasurer of the John A. Dunn Company. 
April 29, 1903, married Luella Gushing (born May 4, 1875), 
daughter of Wilbur Fiske and Emeline (Jewell) Whitney, 
of South Ashburnham, a descendant on the mother's side, 
in the eighth generation, from Richard Mower who settled 
in I^ynn in 1635; a graduate of Middleburv College, and 
has taken several courses at Chicago University. Emeline 
Whitney was born to them October 21, 1905; died Decem- 
ber 2, 1907. 

4. Dora Belle, born February 1, 1873; was graduated from 

Howard Seminary in 1894, and spent some time at Miss 
Hersey's School in Boston. Visited California in 1892, 
and spent the summer of 1900 in Europe. 

THE GOLDEN WEDDING 

The following is taken from the Gardner Daily Ncir.s of November 
30, 1907: 

Surrounded by their children and grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. 
John A. Dunn are to-day celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of their 

[Page t trenhj-seceii^ 




]\l r-;. .Tcnnii' I )iiiiii ( '.-irv 



joiix Aixswoirni nrxx 

marriage, at their pleasant home, 91 Central Street. The gatheriiio; 
is entirely informal and confined to the immediate members of the 
family. 

John Ainsworth Dunn and Sophia W. Chaffee, daughter of Rnfus 
and Experience (Porter) Chaffee, of Lyndon, Vermont, were married 
November 30, 1857. They have lived in Gardner since and have four 
children: Jennie, wife of Rev. Seth C. Gary, Boston; George A., Frank 
C, and Miss Dora B. Dunn, all of Gardner. 

Mr. Dunn is now the only living representative of the original 
pioneer chair manufacturers of the town, and has lived to witness the 
phenomenal growth attained in this industry which has made its 
greatest progress in the j^ast quarter of a century. 

Born in the neighboring town of Westminster, Xovember 2, 1831, 
he moved with his parents. John and Abigail (Jackson) Dunn, when 
six years of age, to Petersham, where he acquired such education as 
the meager advantages of a country town at that time afforded. At 
the age of sixteen, he hired out to a neighboring farmer, but farm life 
was not to his taste, and packing his little satchel he came to Gardner, 
and worked for one season for George Howe, wdao at that time had a 
sawmill at the pri^^lege since known as the Dr. Parker mill. Later, 
he let himself to A. P. Spaulding, who had a small chair shop on the 
Emory ^lay place in the east part of the town, and which is now a 
part of the State Colony for the Insane. So great was his desire to learn 
the chair business, that he worked the first three months for his board. 
He was next em])loyed by the Heywoods, who were then making chairs 
imder the firm name of the Hey\vood Manufacturing Co., where he 
remained nine years. 

In 1804, he bought a fifth interest in the firm of Collester, Eaton & 
Co., who were manufacturing chairs on the site now occupied by the 
J. A. Dunn factories. This was the interest held by Thorley Collester, 
who deceased shortly before this time, and the firm then became 
Eaton, Holmes & Co. At the end of two years, Mr. Holmes retired 
and the firm name was again changed to Eaton & Dunn. This 
obtained for nine years, when Mr. Eaton retired and Mr. Dunn asso- 
ciated himself in business with his brother, I. J. Dunn, and the concern 
was known as J. A. & I. J. Dumi. until 1S80, wlicn liis brother with - 

[/\(r/r licrnty-nine] 




George Ainswortli Diniii 




O tH 

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JOHN AIXSUORTIf DUNN 

drew from the firm and removed to Keene, N. H., where he engaged 
in the same business. From that time until 1902, Mr. Dunn conducted 
the business personally, when the concern was incorporated as the J. A. 
Dunn Company. 

^Yhen Mr. Dunn originally purchased an interest in the concern 
the firm was doing an annual business of about $25,000. Last year, 
it did a business in excess of $1,000,000. 

He is considered one of the best versed men in chair manufacturing 
in Gardner, having been in the business nearly sixty years, working up 
through every department of a chair factory and becoming the head 
of a large business through his knowledge of the details. 

In the early seventies, Mr. Dunn became associated with the 
Methodist Episcopal society in this town and was prominent in the 
promotion and building of the church edifice on Chestnut Street, which 
was dedicated in 1877, and has always been active in the welfare of the 
church here as well as the undertakings of the denomination in other 
fields. 

Although never holding public office, Mr. Dunn has always taken 
a lively interest in municipal affairs and has been a man of much 
influence in connection with important matters that have from time to 
time come up, in which his independence and originality of thought 
and judgment have been recognized and appreciated by even those who 
did not agree with him. Together with other business men of the 
town, he was instrumental in the removal of the Westminster National 
Bank to this town, and shortly after its establishment here was elected 
its president, which office he still holds. He is also president of the 
Gardner Gas, Fuel and Light Co. 

Eleven years ago, Mr. Dunn purchased a tract of land in the east 
part of the town and bordering on the Betty Spring Road, which 
he has improved. The natural beauties of this place are unsurpassed 
in this region, and it is not unlikely that in years to come it will be an 
important feature in the park system of this locality. 

Mr. Dunn has been to California four times and on his last trip, 
in 1902, was with Mrs. Dunn a guest at the golden wedding of Mr. and 
Mrs. John D. Shatter, Mrs. Shaffer being a sister of Mrs. Dunn. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dunn have also been abroad twice, the first trip being a tour 

[Page thirtij-lhree] 




I'^'iiiik CIkiH'cc |)miii 




Emeline Whitney 
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Duini 




|)iii:i Hi'Hc Dniiii 



JOHN AINSWORTfl DUNN 



of England and the continent, and the latter itinerary taking in Egypt 
and the Holy Land. 

Although close up to the eighty mark, Mr. Dunn is vigorous and 
progressive still. He visits the works every day and made no exception 
of this, his fiftieth anniversary day. 

The feature of the day was a family gathering at 1.30 o'clock, 
when all were assembled for dinner. Among other remembrances of 
the occasion was a silver plate or tray with a heap of gold eagles from 
the employees of the J. A. Dunn Company, and the plate was engraved 
with the following inscri])tion: 



^■ 



"% 



November 30, 1907 

Golden Wedding of 
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Dunn 

with good wishes of employees of the 
John A. Dunn Company 



^: 



-J 



Accompanying the gift was a list of the donors, with the record of 
time each had been in the employ of the company, some dating back 
for over forty years. 



[Page thirty-seven] 




Hetty Sjniii^' Koad, Diiiiii I'ark 



Ai^ V 




Oh 



3 



THE JACKSON FAMILY 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 



THE JACKSON FAMILY 



Christopher Jacksox lived in the parish of White Chaj)el, 
London, where he reared a family. He owned a fine estate, and bore 
an honorable reputation. 

II. 

Eda\ard Jackson, his son, born about l60'-2, and baptized Feb- 
ruary 3, 1604, married, first, Frances , and had four sons and 

four daughters. There is a tradition in the family that Sebas was 
born on the passage to this country; if this be the case, Frances, the 
mother, died at that time or soon after their arrival here. His brother 
John came first and they settled near each other. 

He purchased land in Cambridge Village (this was Newton after 
1679), of Samuel Holley, in 1643, and took the Freeman's oath in 1645. 
In 1646 he purchased a farm in Cambridge Village, of five hundred 
acres, of Governor Bradstreet. for one hundred and forty pounds. 
This farm was long known as the INIayhew farm, the Governor ha\ing 
purchased it of Thomas Mayhew of Watertown, in 1638. with all the 
buildings thereon, for six cows. This five-hundred-acre farm com- 
menced near what is now the di^•ision line between Newton and lirighton 
and extended westward, including what is now Newtonnlle, and 
covering the site where Judge Fuller's mansion house once stood. 
The site where Gen. Michael Jackson's mansion house stood was near 
the center of the Mayhew fann, and a few rods nearer the brook stood 
the old dwelling-house conveyed with the farm, in Mayhew's deed to 
Governor Bradstreet. Of course it was built prenous to 1638, and 
it is, therefore, highly probable that it was the first dwelling-house 
built in Newton; the cellar-hole, now almost filled, a few rods from the 
road, is still \isible. 

In 1708, in laj-ing out the old highway, long since discontinued, 
which passed by the old house, the description is, " crossing the brook 
near where the old house stood." The house, which was erected 



[ Page forty-three ] 



,/(>// y MxswoRTH urxx 

before Ui.SH, was gone before 170S; it Imd stood jilioiil the allotted 
sj)ace of tlirce score and ten. Il iiiav lia\c lii'eri tlic first rcsidt'iice of 
Edward Jackson, Senior, in ('anibri(l<fe \'illage, from liis first coining 
until liis marriage in l(iM), and ])erlia})s for many more years. At liis 
dentil, in KiSl, his tlicii dwclling-lionse stood alioul tlircc-(|uartcrs of 
a mile easterly, near tlic line of Hrigliton. and alioiil Iwciilv rods 
norlticrly from the road to l{o\bnry. It is described in his iiuciitory 
as a spacious mansion, with a hall, designed, no fh)ubt, for religious 
meetings. 

He was chosen one of the I)e|)uties, or Representatives, from Cam- 
bridge, to the (ieneral Court, in l(i47, continued to be elected to that 
office annually, or semi-ammally. for .seventeen years in all. and was 
otherwise nuich engaged in public life. He was one of the Selectmen of 
Cambridge, !()(>.'>; chairman of a c-ommittee with Edward Oakes and 
Lieutcnaiit-C lONcrrior l)anfortli. apj)ointed li\ the town of ('aml)ridge, 
Ki.j.S, to lav out all necessary hijfhwavs in Cambridi'e on the south side 
of Charles River: chairman of a committee with John Jackson, Richard 
Park and Sanuiel Hyde, "to lay out and settle highways, as need shall 
re(|uire, in Cambridge Milage""; one of the Connnissioners to end 
small causes, in Cand)ridge, several years. He was constantly present 
with Rev. John Eliot, at his lectures to the Indians, at Xonantum. to 
take notes of the cpiestions of the Indians and of the ansAvers of Mr. 
Eliot, lie was one of Ihe pro|)rietors of Cand)ridge. and in the di\Tsion 
of the common lands, in l(l(!'2. he had four acri's; in i(i(il. he had lliirlv 
acres, lie was also a large proprietor in the iJillerica lands, and in 
the division of 1().>2 he had four hundred acres, which 1>\ hi^ will he 
gave to Harvard College, together with other be(|uesls. ilc was the 
author and first signer of a |)etiti<)n to the (ieneral (diirl in 1<)78, 
praying that Cand)ridge Village might lie ncI oH' from ( '.MiiKridge 
and made an inde|)en<lent town by itself, which petition was granted 
in l()7i>. notwithstanding the |>owerfnl o|)position of Cambridge, which, 
in its biljer rcMuonstrances. volnnlariK bears strong and honorable 
testimonv of Edwai'd Jackson. After sa\ing many hard words about 
the pelilionei's, i| ad(b: ""WC would uol be understood to include every 
pa rlieular jierson. for wc acknowledge that Mr. Jackson brought a 
good estate to llie town, as some othei's did, and lialli not l;een wanting 

[ Page fori //-/'our \ 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 

to the ministry, or any good work among us, and therefore we would 
not reflect upon him in the least." 

Capt. Edward Johnson's "History of New England" contains a 
short notice of the characters of many of the leading men of his time, 
among whom he classes Edward Jackson, and says, "He could not 
endure to see the truths trampled under foot by the erroneous party." 

He had ten children born in this country, and upwards of sixty 
grandchildren. He died June 17, 1081, aged seventy-nine years and 
five months. 

His inventory contained upwards of sixteen hundred acres of land, 
and amounted to 2,477 pounds, 19 shillings, 6 pence. It also included 
two men-servants appraised at five pounds each. He was probably 
the first slaveholder in Newton. He divided his lands among his 
children, in his lifetime, ])utting metes and bounds. 

It is a remarkable fact, in relation to these two brothers, John and 
Edward Jackson, that, while Edward had three sons and John five, 
there are multitudes of Edward's posterity, who hear his name, and only 
five of John's. Forty-four of Edward's descendants were in the 
Revolutionary army from Newton, and not one of John's. Now there 
are but three families of Edward's descendants in town that hear his 
name. 

Sebas Jackson, his son, sometimes written Seaborn upon the old 
records (some confirmation of the tradition that he was horn on the 
passage of his parents to this country), married Sarah, daughter of 
Thomas Baker, of Roxbury, 1671, and had Edward, September 12, 
1072. 

Extract from his father's will: "I do give and becjucalh lo my 
son Sebas, his heirs and assigns forever, that my house in which lie at 
present dwelleth, with one hundred and fifty acres of land adjoining, 
as it is already laid out and bounded; also two gilded silver spoons." 
That hou.se was eighteen feet bv twentv-two, with two stories, and 
stood on the same spot now occupied l)y the mansion of William 
Jackson, Esq., a cold-water man, who continues to draw from the 
old well, a pure fountain, which has served seven generations and is 

[ Page fort //-five ] 



.1011 s .\L\swoRTii nrxs 

none the worse for wear. The old lionie was built ahoul KJTO. and 
enlar<j^e(l het'ore KJIK). wliicli increased the len<;tli to tliirtv nim- tVcl. 
It was deniolisjicd in ISO!), Iiavino; withstood tlie tempests ol' ahout 
one linndrcil and forty years. 

He died 1 )('eeniV)er (i. l(i!)(); if l)orn upon llic passa^^c. he was hut 
fort\ -eiiiht. None of his children were then of aire, and the Nonnirest 
was only nine months. He left a will, ji;i\in^- all llie es|;ite lo lii> wife. 
'■for lier mainlenance. and the well l)riii<fiii<r iin of his children, dniin"' 
her life, or so long as she c-ontinues to lie his widow. In ca>e >he 
marry, she shall have tlie west end of liis house, a small orchard lieliind 
the house, fire wood, and fixe pounds vcarK," elc. I lis oldol >on, 
Eflward, was to haxc sixty acres of land, and the I'cmainder, one 
hun(h'ed and ten acres, to he eijualK dixided amouL;' his other three 
sons; his three <lau^hters lo haxc ei|ual shares, less ten |)onn(l>, and 
son Edward lo have a donhle |)ortion. If an\- of his >on> choose a 
trade, ■"they shall aliatc ten |pounds of their portion."" His son^ lo have 
a con\('nienl wax llii'ou^ii each othei's lands. If an\' of his sons 
choo.se to .sell their lands, their hrothers lo li;i\e the refusal, iriviu"; as 
much as another. He was a soldier in Kini;- lMnli|>"s War. and had 
grantee's nghl in Xarragausett, Xo. -,', aflerwai'd \\ Cstminsler. an<l his 
son Edward ha<l Lot Xo. 4'-2. the Joh Seaver |)lace. His inventor\ 
amounted to ahont six hundred pounds. His wife outlived him lliirly- 
.six years, and died March -l'>. M^H'k aged eighty-four. 

IV. 

Edwaui) Jackson, his son, horn in Xewton, September l'^. 1072; 

married Mary (born KUJ."), died 17.").'>)". in IT.'H he gaxc half 

of his homestead to his son Edward, being sixty acres, which lie had 
from his father. Sebas. He died intestate March -27, 174S. Children: 

1. E\|ierience, born .Vugust !), 1 (!!)(!. 

2. I-'dward, born October 1, l(i!)S: married Dorothy (^uincy (born 

Jamiary t, i^Oi); baptized .\pril :'.(». 1721: a(buill<-d to 
church May 2S, 1727, l)y Rev. .lolm Marsh) December 7, 
173H. Her son. Jonathan Jackson, had a daughter Sarali, 
who married l\e\'. .\biel llolmes. .niil llieir sou was ()li\cr 
WCndell Holmes. lb' wrote the following poem: 

|/'or/r /oW//-.v/.r ] 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 

DOROTHY (^. 

A Family Portrait 
Bi/ permission of Houghton, Miffiin Co. 

Grandmother's mother: her age I guess, 
Thirteen summers, or something less; 
Giriish bust, but womanly air; 
Smooth, scjuare forehead with uproUed hair; 
Lips that lover had never kissed; 
Taper fingers and slender wrist; 
Hanging sleeves of stiff brocade; 
So they painted the little maid. 

On her hand a parrot green 

Sits unmoxang and broods serene. 

Hold up the canvas full in \'iew, — 

Look! there's a rent the light shines through. 

Dark with a century's fringe of dust, — 

That was a Red-Coat's rapier thrust I 

Such is the tale the lady old, 

Dorothy's daughter's daughter, told. 

Who the painter was none may tell, — 
One whose best was not over well; 
Hard and dry, it must be confessed. 
Flat as a rose that had long been pressed; 
Yet in her cheek the hues are bright. 
Dainty colors of red and white, 
And in her slender shape are seen 
Hint and promise of stately mien. 

Look not on her with eyes of scorn, — 
Dorothy Q. was a lady born! 
Ay! since the galloping Normans came, 
England's annals have known her name; 

[ Page foiii/sevcti ] 



JOHN AINSIVORTH DUNN 

And still to the llircc-liilled rebel town 
Dear is that ancient name's renown, 
For many a civic wre^ith they won, 
The youthful sire and the gray-haired son. 

O Damsel Dorothy! Dorothy Q.! 
Straiifje is the gift that I owe to you; 
Such a gift as never a king 
Save to daughter or son might bring, — 
All my tenure of heart and hand. 
All ray title to house and land; 
Mother and sister and child and wife 
And joy and sorrow and death and life! 

What if a hundred years ago 

Those close-shut li[)s had answered No, 

When forth the tremulous question came 

That cost the maiden her Norman name, 

And under the folds that look so still 

The bodice swelled with the bosom's thrill ? 

Should I be T. or would it be 

One tciitli aiiollicr, to nine-tenths me? 

Soft is the l)reath of a maiden's 'ST^S: 

Not the light gossamer stirs with less; 

But never a cal)le that holds so fast 

Through all the battles of wave and blast. 

And never an echo of speech or song 

That lives in I lie babbling air so long! 

There were tones in the voice lliat whis|)ered then 

You nia\ hear to-day in a hundred mm. 

O ladv and lover, how faint and far 
Your images hover, — and here we are. 
Solid and stirring in flesh and bone, — 
Edward's and Dorothy's — all their own, — 

[ Page forty-eight ] 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 

A goodly record for time to show 
Of a syllable spoken so long ago! — 
Shall I bless you, Dorothy, or forgive 
For the tender whisper that made me live ? 

It shall be a blessing, my little maid! 
I wall heal the stab of the Red-Coat's blade, 
And freshen the gold of the tarnished frame, 
And gild with a rhyme your household name; 
So you shall smile on us brave and bright 
As first you greeted the morning's light. 
And live untroubled by woes and fears 
Through a second youth of a hundred years. 

The author says: "I cannot tell the story of Dorothy Q. more 
simply in prose than I have told it in verse, but I can add something 
to it. 

"Dorothy was the daughter of Judge Edmund Quincy, and the 
niece of Josiah Quincy, Junior, the young patriot and orator who died 
just before the American Revolution, of which he was one of the most 
eloquent and effective promoters. The son of the latter, Josiah Quincy, 
the first mayor of Boston bearing that name, lived to a great age, one 
of the most useful and honored citizens of his time." 
The line of the Quincys is as follows: 
(l .) Edmund Quincy, Wigsthorpe, England, married Ann Palmer, 

October 14, 1593. 
(2.) Edmund, his son, baptized May 30, 1602; married Judith 
Pares, July 14, 1623; coat of arms same as De Quincy, 
second Earl of Winchester; came with Rev. John Cotton 
to Boston, in 1633; freeman in 1634; Deputy to the 
General Court the same year; grant of land at Mount 
Wollaston, 1635. 
(3.) Edmund, his son, born 1627; married Joanna Hoar, sister of 

the President of Harvard College. 
(4.) Edmund, his son, born October 21, 1681; Harvard, 1699; 
married Dorothy, daughter of Rev. Josiah Flynt, Dorches- 
ter, and had Dorothy Q., who married Edward Jackson. 

[ Page forty-nine ] 



JOHN ATXswnRTff DU yy 

3. Isa;ic. lH)rn February 2, 1701. 

4. Sarali. l.oni October 28, 1703. 

5. Sebas, Ixnii April 20. 170(1. 

(). Michael, bom Fel)ni;irv 2."). 170!) 

7. Jonathan, born June 2o, 1713. 

8. Anil, Ixirii August, 1711. 

V. 

Isaac .Iack.so.n, his son, born in New ton, I'cbniarv 2, 17(1! ; niarried 
Ruth, daughter of John Greenwood, Esq., .luly 10, 1729, and had 
Josiah. born April 23, 1730. 

He was a carpenter, ser\-ing his time with Isaac Peech, who gave 
him four acres of land wilh house, adjoining tlic liurial-|)lace. He was 
Selectman five years, and died February ."). 17(>i), aged sixty-eight. 
He owned a large tract of land in Westminster, wliicli bv his will (17()o) 
he gave to his sons, Josiah, Edward and Elisha, who settled upon it, 
and were among the first settlers of Westminster, with four others 
from Newton, \-\z., John Hall, Deacon Joseph Miller, Nathaniel 
Norcross, and one other. 

Isaac came after his sons had been here for a time, and spent his 
last days here. 

Josiah had Lots 92, 93 (the Allen place), and his home was a little 
south of the house erected bv his son Olixer. lie was the largest 
landholder of his day. 

Edward had Xo. 7, Second Division (on Bean Porridge Hill), 
and 48, Third Division, probablv in (Gardner: and Lot Xo. 20, the 
original poorfarm. 

EHsha had 113, Second Division ; 37, Tliird l)i\isioii. and a 
meadow lot in (ilardner, X'o. 07. I lis homestead was in I he borders 
of South Gardner village, and the house was on Kendall Hill. He was 
the first resident of Gardner. 

VI. 

Josiah Jacksox, his son. V)orn in XVwIon, .\pril 2;>, 1730; married 
Mary Derby; was a large landholder, and lived near where his soti 
Oliver afterward built his house. 

[Page fift,,] 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUXN 

VII. 

Oliver Jackson, his son, born November 22, 1757; married Mary 
Pierce, daughter of John and Abigail (Beard) Pierce (l)orn Sei)tember 
5, 1760; (Ued March 17, 1833); he died April 13, 181G. 

Children : — 

1. Polly, born November 12, 1781; married Adam Partridge, 

died March 22, 1869. 

2. Asenath. born March 29, 1785; married Jonas Holden; chad 

February 27, 1875. 

3. Josiah, born September 7, 1787. 

4. Betsev, born x\ugust 5, 1790; married Jesse Warren; died 

October 24, 1876. 

5. Isaac, born November 24, 1792; was a captain in the War 

of 1812-14; died October 29, 1844. 

6. Abigail, born June 18, 1796; married John Dunn, published 

June 1, 1815. (See Dunn family.) 

7. Horace, born April 1, 1800; died August 20, 1874. 

8. Eh-ira, born May 28, 1802; married Jonas Cutting, and died 

in 1884. 



I Paqe fip;/-(me ] 




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THE DUNN FAMILY 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 



THE DUNN FAMILY 
/. 

John Dunn, the first of the name in this vicinity of whom there 
is record, hved in Westminster and owned the farm afterwards occupied 
by Emory May. He was one of the first settlers of the town, set out an 
apple orchard on his farm, and was buried in the cemetery at 
Gardner Center, in the northeast corner, near the old hearse house. 

This farm is now in Gardner, as portions of Ashburnham, West- 
minster, Templeton and Winchendon were taken to form the town of 
Gardner in 1785. 

II. 

John Dunn, his son, was born in Marlboro, May 7, 1761, and died 

in Sterling, July 29, 1832. He married, first, Polly , and had 

two children; he married, second, Polly Puffer, daughter of Joshua and 
Mary (Reed) Puffer (born April 5, 1763), May 28, 1788, at West- 
minster; she died April 9, 1857. He lived for a time on the Fourth 
Di\'ision lot in the southwest part of the town, on a place owned by his 
father-in-law; but in July, 1798, he bought of Josiah Colman ten acres of 
land, which was just below his father's farm, with house and barn, 
formerly owned by Amos P. Spaulding. This house was burned in 1815. 

He was a Revolutionary soldier, having enlisted as a private from 
Marlboro, September or October, 1777; Captain William Morse, 
Colonel Read; again April, 1778, Captain Amasa Sargeant, and was 
out five months; again September, 1778 or 1779, Captain Amasa 
Cranston, and was out two or three months; was at Saratoga at the 
surrender of Burgoyne. 

A pension was allowed him, July 24, 1832, then a resident of 
Sterling; the widow applied for a pension, from Princeton, September 
5, 1838; in 1839 she was a resident of Petersham. Two sons are 
mentioned in this record, John and Asa; the latter was forty years old 
when the mother made the application for pension. 

[Page pftj/seven] 



JOHN AINSWOHT/f DTJyN 

Cliildrt'ii: 

1. Lovett, born in Miirlljoro, jiiul was there in 1807. 

2. Vinal S., married Dolly, danghter of Abner and Lcxiriali 

(Glazier) Whitney; pulilished September 14, 180.3. and had 
Andrew, who was f/rachiatcd at Ihc Baptist Theoh)gical 
Seminary at Newton, and was a minister for fifty years. 

3. Levinali, ])orn .Tanuary 10, 178!); married Joseph Ghizier 

Wliitney, and died June 24, 1875; their daughter, Levina, 
niarned Rev. Ste{)hen Cushing, New England Conference. 
They became Methodists, and were in the church at "Scrab- 
ble Hollow," which was organized in 1814, edifice erected 
in 1817. and united with A.shburnham in 1832. Their 
son John became a chair manufacturer, and his sons after 
liini. 

4. John. (See below.) 

5. Lucas, born April (i. 179G, lived in Bolton, and died October 

17, 1833. 
(). Asa, born IVFay 20. 1798; died December 12, 18o2. 

7. I'olly, born May G, 1800; married Henry Norcross. 

8. Lucy, born August 8, 1803; married Mr. Lane; died February 

13, 18.30. 

9. INIary, died Aj^-il 11,1 857. 

John Dunn, his son, born in Westminster, April 20, 1791 ; married 
Abigail, daughter of Oliver and Mary (Pierce) Jackson, of Westminster; 
published May I. 1815. He bought the Jackson place, and here 
eleven of their children were born. In 1838 they removed to Petersham, 
and thence to Gardner in 1866, in order to be near their children. 

Children: 

1. Oliver Jackson, born November 26, 1816; died September 10, 

1819. 

2. \ iola, born August 31, 1818; was educated at the Westminster 

Academy and became a teacher; married Philander Derby 
fborn June IS. 1816; died October 10, 1902). February 27. 
18.39. They lived for a time in Wardsboro. Vermont, and 

[Page fijlti-iiijlil] 



JOHN AI NSW OUT 1 1 DUNN 

then came to Gardner, where he became an extensive chair 
manufacturer and amassed a large fortune. His Hue is as 
follows : 

1. John Darby, IMarblehead. 
'i. John Darby, born 1681. 

3. ANDRf:w Darby, born 1707. 

4. Nathan Darby, born 1737. 

5. Levi Derby, born 178'-2. 

6. Philander Derby, born 181(>. 

7. Arthur P. Derby, born 1855. 

8. Ashton p. Derby, born 1878. 

9. Stephen A. Derby, born 1905 

( hildren : 

(1.) Mary Augusta, born January '-23, 1840; died May 5, 1906; 
married George Hodgnuin (born in I>owell, January 
27,1838; died in Gardner, May 31, 1907). They Hved 
in Gardner and he entered tlie firm of P. Derby & Co. 

Children : 

1. Alice I., born October 19, 1860; married Arthur G. Burn- 

ham, and had Edward L. and George H. 

2. Stella A., born September 14, 1862; married Frank C. 

Collester, and had Marian, Thorley and Mary. 

3. Fred Derby, l)orn ]March 9, 186.5; married Jennie M. 

Cragin, and had jNlildred. 

4. Frank Herbert, born A])ril 30, 1866; married Adelaide 

S. Barton, and had Edna B., Helen E. and Frank H. 

5. George Ernest, born March 14, 1869; died October 1, 

1872. 

6. Walter Burton, Ijorn October 22, 1870; married Emma 

A. Ellsworth. 

7. Alvah Baxter, born September 16, 1872; married Jennie 

Partridge. 

8. Mary Belle, Ijorn October 17, 1874; married Eugene S. 

Buzzell, November 8, 1899. 

9. Harry Nelson, born February 22, 1877; died May 1.5, 

1878. 

[ Page fifty-nine ] 



JOHN ATXSIVORTTT DUXX 

W. rinlaiKlcr Derby, born April U, IS?!); died April ^>\, 

1902. 
1 1 . \i()l;i I )., Ijoin October 2, 1884: died May 23, 1897. 
(2.) Klla, born October 7. ISH*; married George Wade Cann 
(born Easton, I'a., Jannary 9, 1849), July 25, 1872, had 

1. Helen Louise, married .Vlbert Fay Lowell, M.l)., June 2, 

l!)(l.'), and had Xorman (died in infancy), Sidney C 
antl .Vlberta. 

2. ^Farv Alberta, born April 22, 1S7.); married Levi IL 

(ireenwood. February II, l.S9(i, and had Eleanor, 
Margaret, Richard X. and l{ol)ert Earl. 
:5. Ella Derby, born M.ircli It, 1SS2; married Frank S. 
Ilitjht, October 1 t, l!)(t2, and had Donald >L, who died 
in infancy. 
4. Sarah Violn. born Xovemlicr .1. IS83;died July IC, 1S!)1. 
(3.) .\rthur riiilander, born December I, IS.").*): marriecl Lucy 
Brown, yidv 1. 1S77. and had 

1. Asliton Philander, born February '>. IS7S: married Eva ^L 

(Ireenwood, September 2(5, KS!>!), and had Stephen 
Arthur and Philander Greenwood. 

2. Howard Hrowii. born April 22, 1891; died Xovember .■), 

1904. Arthur ;iiid his son are now a! the hc;id of llie 
P. Derby Co. 

3. Abioail. born Julv 12, 1820; became ;i tcacluM-; married D.nid 

Hamsdcll, and liiid Morus; died in IS92. 

4. Lucy Elvira, born February 20, [822; died December 2. 1824. 

5. Oliver .fackson, liorn June 24, 1823; died Xovember 1(!. 1824. 
(). Lucy, born M;iy 17. 182.5; died Xovendjer 23, 1842. 

7. l^Uiia, born 1 )eceml)er 1(!, 1827; married \N'a 1 1 cr Whitney (born 
A.shburnhaia, January 1. 182."i; died July 23. 18()7; see 
Whitney Genealogy, Pierce; ])age.s 461-2, History .\sliburn- 
ham; Stearnes, p. 9GG), May I, 18.113. She was edncaled al 
the NN'cstminster Academy, and was a successful Icacht-r: for 
more th.-m twcntv years she was suijerintendent of the .Vsvlum 
for Discharired Female Prisoners, Dcdham, Mass. Li this 
|)osilion her strong |)ersonalitv .-ind marked execulixc ability 

[ Page .ti.tii/ ] 



JOHX AINSWORTH DUNN 

had great influence upon tlie hundreds of women who came 
under her care. The Boston Record says, "The atmos- 
phere is charged with friendly hospitahty, and the charm of 
the institution is the presence of Mrs. Whitney, of whom 
each woman says, 'She is just hke a mother to me.'" 
She resigned her position in 1901, and resides at Old Town, 
Maine. 
Children: 

(1.) Walter, born July 19. 18.54: died in infancy. 
("2.) Frank Walter, born .Jiuie 13, 1856, at Fitchburg, married 
Georgia Augusta Taylor, Nashua, N. H., and had Walter 
Robinson, February 24, 1887, who died in infancy. He 
was graduated at the Fitchburg High School, and Boston 
University; is ]irincij)al of the Watertown High School, 
and has had charge of the High Schools at Palmer and 
Chicopee, Massachusetts, and Dover, New Hampshire. 
(3.) Mary Ehira, born May 15, 1859; died in infancy. 
(4.) Jessie Dunn, born May 19, 1862; educated at Fitchburg High 
School, Cornell and Smith Colleges; taught at Westminster 
and Ashburnham, and for eight years was assistant in the 
Wareham High School. She married Arthur Burgess 
Larchar, August 12, 1897, and had Arthur Whitney, 
January 13, 1903, and Katherine, December 15, 1905. 
(5.) Fred Ernest, born January 18, 1865, Fitchburg; married 
Agatha G. Hays, Xewburg, New York, November 26, 
1890; prepared for college at Fitchburg, and his education 
and preparation for the ministry was in New York. He is 
rector of the St. Agnes Episcopal Church, Newburg, New 
York, and is editor and publisher of the Church Kalender, 
a publication in the Episcopal Church that has a \A'ide 
circulation throughout the United States and foreign 
countries. 

8. Mary, born February 5, 1830; died February 14, 1843. 

9. John Ainsworth. (Special sketch.) 

10. Josiah Jackson, born ^larch 18, 1834; married Lucy A. 
Stone, December 31, 1857, and had 

[ Page sixty-one ] 



.ions MXHwoiiTii new 

(1.) I'll.i. wlio married Alfred M. Worcester, September '-2H. ISKI . 

(2.) .lulin S.. wlio iiKirricd .Icmiic Aldcii. and li;id Delhert A. and 

Marion A. lie \\a> a hool and nIioc dealer for some 

years, and also ixislmastcr at NN'cst (iardner; li\('d in 

Petcrsliani; observed (iolden Wedding December 31, 

1!)07, and died Febrnarv (>. IDd.S. 

11. Isaac .Icronic. born Anoiist l.l. IS.'Jd; married ilallic Nicliols. 

;iiid had Lillian. l)orn ISdl , died ISS:!. He is now a inann- 
faetiircr in Kcene, \e\v I lanij).sliire. 

12. Ellen Ascnath. (See C'liatiee family.) 

13. Albcrl Ilenrv. died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Diiim's interests were cliicdv centered in their 
family of thirteen children, .seven of whom lived to lia\e families of 
tlieir own. When a iici<rhl)or was boa.sting of lii.s wealth, Mrs. Dnmi, 
pointing to her cliihh-en, said. "These are my wealth." 

The homes in \N'cstminslcr and Petersham, where the more active 
Hfe and middle age were spent, and the one in (iardner, where their 
declining years were pa.s.sed, are remembered with |)lea.sure by their 
children and grandchihhvn. Xolhing was ([nite ecjual to a Thanks- 
giving in that home, and each felt that there was a special welcome 
from tlie genial host and hostess. 

IVlr. Dnnn was a man of sterling woi'tli and character, and his 
advice and jndgmenl were nmcli songht l)y his family and friends. 

Mrs. Dinni nnisl have iidierited the noble trails of her distin- 
guished ancestor, Hdward Jackson, for her <|nccnlv bcarini; and 
beautifnl spirit im[)rcssc(l all who knew her: while her ncatnc^N. the 
love of tlowers. her family and friends, fonnd alnmdant e\pre>sion in 
her bonntifnl hel|)fnlness and charitv. 

'Hicir married life extended throngh more than sixtv-thrce v(>ars, 
and they died at the aire of eiirhtv-.seven. 



[ Page sixlij-lwo ] 



THE CHAFFEE FAMILY 



JOHN AIXSJVORTH DUNN 



THE CHAFFEE FAMILY 

Doubtless the earliest settler by this name was Thomas Chaffee, 
who came to this country and lived in Hingham in 16 — . It is also 
probable that all of this name are his descendants. 

Captain Ezra Chaffee, a Revolutionary soldier, was born 1742, 

and died in Athens, Vermont, July 10. 1815; married Jerusha 

(born in Athens, Vermont, 1742; died in same place December 15, 
1823, aged 81). 

Children : 

1. Charles, born about 1767; died in Athens, April 30, 1823. 

2. Rufus, born 1769; was a shot maker by trade; married 

Betsey Stickney; died in Athens, April 12, 1857. 
Children : 

1. Elisha. 

2. Eber. 

3. Stickney. 

4. Rufus. 

5. Ehza. All these except Rufus went West. 

Rufus Chaffee, born in Athens, Vermont. April 21, 1800, was a 
tanner by trade; married first, Susan Russell, September, 1829, who 
died September 26, 1833. 

Children : 

1. Rial L.. born March 31. 1831; married Dene B. Buell, 

March 3, 1858; died April 19, 1869. 

2. Margaret S., born July 9, 1833; died September 29, 1833. 
He married, second. Experience (Porter) Richmond, daughter 

of George Porter, who was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, January 
29, 1759. enlisted in 1775, in the Massachusetts troops, and was dis- 
charged in 1779, having served two full years. For this service he was 
granted a pension, for which application was made at Athens, Vermont, 
August 9, 1852. 

She was born March 31. 1799. and married, first, Reuben F. 
Richmond. Deceml)er 0, 1821. who was accidentally killed, leaving 

[Page si.vtij-.s-cren] 



JOHN AIXSWOHTH ni'W 

her willi llircc liltic irirls; after five years she iiiiirricd Kufus Chafi'ee, 
;ui<l I here were Ijorii to tlieiu two (hiufjhters and two sons. 
Tlie cliildrcn of Experience and Mr. Ificliiiioinl were: 

1. Lucy K.. horn February "27, 1S"24-: married Joel (". Ked- 

field, l)eeenil)er 11, ISl-."), and had .MarshalL Itorn 
An^rust '■27, 1817; Frank. l)orn Septenilter ^(t, IHii): Sarah, 
l)orii Xovendjer '-2'-2. 1S.>2; she died February ;2, 1891. 

2. Sarah G., born May 115, IS2(>: married S. E. Perham, 

May 2.5, 1840, and had Dorr and F>lla; she died July 19, 
1850. 

3. Susan (i., born January 17. 1829; married John I). Sliafter, 

a "Forty-Niner,'" Sejjtcuibcr "28, 1852. and had (1) Frank, 
born Septendier 19. 18.j.';. who married F'rankie Pliipps, 
April 2(i. ISSl, and had Lottie Kuth. October 16, 1883, 
and liertha Ray. March 19. 1887; (2) Minnie, born Sep- 
tember 19. 18.59, and died Augu.st 22. 1802; (3) Florence, 
born January 28. 18(i(i. married Charles IJothwell, Septem- 
ber 28, 1887. and had Bruce Shaffer. l)orn Auo;ust 31, 1888, 
and Farl Lewis, born February 7, 1890. M r. Shaffer died 
at San Jose. California. November 24. 190.'!. 
The children of Rufus Chaffee and his wife Experience (Porter) 
Richmond, were: 

1. Harriett, born March 5, 1833; died February 20, 1894; 

married first, Harvey AL Clark, June (i. 18.54. .and had 
Abbott, born July 31, 18,55, who married .luli.i E. 
Keinath, October 21, 1880, and had Leslie Clark, born 
June 28, 1889. and F:dna Mabel, born March 12, 1892; 
in.irricd. .second. Hufus Johnson, November. 1S()(I. and 
li.id .Mice, born .Vpi-il Hi. ISTO. who married .Vmedee 
Sniill:, .luue 8, 1892, and Edna, born November 5, 1872, 
who married Nelson .\. T^oueks, October 1<», 1900; 
married, third. Robert Hull. March. 1S79. 

2. Sophi.-i W.dker. (See j)aj;e twenty-.six.) 

3. George IL, born July 14, 18.'J9; died Deceudjcr 5. 1S9(J. al 

Athol. Mas.sachusetfs. He enlisted in Company F., Fifty- 
Ihird Kegiment Ma.■^sa(■hu.sells N'olunlet-rs, for nine 

[ Pnr/c ftlxf)/-ci(/}it ] 



JOHN AINSWORTH DUNN 

months; was wounded June l^, 1803, at Port Hudson, 
Louisiana, and from this wound and the asthma which 
he contracted there, suffered the remainder of his Hfe. 
He married Ellen Asenath. daughter of Jolm and Abigail 
(Jackson) DuTin, September '■I, 1864. 
Children : 

(1.) John R., born July "27, 1869; was graduated from Boston 
University with the degrees of A.B., A.M. and Ph.D.; 
married Jennie Florence Ditmars (B.U. '96), June 27, 
1907; is a member of the New England Conference. 
(2.) Wilbur G., born July 28, 1872; received degrees of A.B. 
and S.T.B. from Boston University, and is a member 
of the New England Conference. Married April 8, 
1907. Annabel S. Atherton, B.U. '91. 
4. AYillard P., born January 11, 1843; died at St. Johnsbury, 
Vermont, January 8, 1906; married Abi Proctor, Septem- 
ber 6, 1866, and had (1), Harriett, born November 16, 
1867, and married Frederick Ross, August 13, 1889; (2), 
Arthur, born March 28, 1874, married Elizabeth Hughes, 
November, 23, 1898, and had John Willard, October 9, 
1903. Served in the Civil War. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee moved from Athens to Lyndon, Vermont, 
in February, 1848, and bought a farm on which they lived for thirty 
years. They then went to San Jose, California, where they remained 
four years. Returning to ^lassachusetts, they made their home with 
their daughter in Gardner, till his death, December 27, 1875. 

Their marriage was an ideal one, in that each w'as the complement 
of the other; he being quick and active in judgment, while she was 
more deliberate in action and conclusion. She went to live with her 
daughters in San Jose, and died there at the age of eighty-seven. 



[ Page sixtij-nlne ] 



THE GARY FAMILY 



JOHX ATXSJVORTfr DUXX 



THE CARY FAMIIA 

Seth Cooley Cary was born June 1, 1838, at Belcher, New York, 
in the liouse built by his grandfather, and which sheltered four genera- 
tions of Carys. At nineteen be began teaching, as did his father and 
other members of that family, "boarding 'round" as was the custom. 
Prepared for college at Poultney, Vermont, but like all his ancestors 
became a soldier, entering the 123d New York Infantry Volunteers, 
as a Second Lieutenant, August, 1862; was twice promoted in the 
field, and was mustered out with his regiment, June 8, 1865, at the 
close of the Civil War, with the rank of Adjutant. 

Was one year in the Army of the Potomac, in the 12th Corps, and 
was engaged in the battles of Chancellorsville, Virginia, and Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania. In September, 1863, was transferred to the Army of 
the Cumberland, under Gen. George H. Thomas, after the repulse at 
Chickamauga. In the winter following, the corps was changed to the 
20th, and Gen. W. T. Sherman took command, when General Grant 
was placed at the head of all the armies in the field. Was engaged 
in the battles of Resacca, Cassville, Dallas, Lost jNIountain, Pine Hill, 
Kennesaw Mountain, Kolb's Farm, Chattahoochee River, Peach Tree 
Creek, all in Georgia, in the Campaign of Atlanta. At Peach Tree 
Creek was severely wounded, July 20, 1864. 

Was graduated from what has since become the Boston University 
School of Theology, in 1869; was assistant pastor of Bromfield Street 
Church, Boston (Rev. Prof. Luther T. Townsend being pastor), April, 
1868, to April, 1870; joined the New England Conference in April. 
1870. Was one of the statistical secretaries for twenty years; for ten 
years the President of the Alpha Chapter of Boston T^niversity; Bio- 
graphical Secretary of the same since 1896; Instructor in the Deaconess 
Training School since 1896; President of The John Cary Descendants 
since 1901; chairman of the committee that erected a monument to his 
regiment at Gettysburg. 

October 7, 1873, married Mrs. Sarah W. Bouton. who died Septem- 
ber 21, 187.5; married second, Hattie Landoii Boutoii. .V])ril 17, 1878, 

[Page seventy-three] 




Rev. Setli C. Carv 




Knibloe Bouton Gary 



joi!\ Ajxswoirni disx 

and had KiiiMoc Houton, March '-20, 188-2; tlie motliiM- dyinor A|)ril If?, 
1882, tlie l)al)V, then llirce weeks old, entered the home of John A. 
Dniin, where he was l)rou^lil ii|), graduating from the High School in 
1898, the Boston Latin Seliool, in 1899, and from Boston University 
in June, 1908, and in July following entered the eniphn' of the John 
A. Dunn ( <irii|)any; married third, Jennie S. Dunn, M.D., November 
20, 189o. 

The ancestral line is as follows: 



1. 


Ad.\.m de K.\ri 


Castle Ki 


[ui 


Somerset, England 


1170 


2. 


John di: Kary 


Castle Kary 


Somerset, England 


1200 


3. 


William uk K.vry 


Castle Ki 


^ry 


Somerset, Englaiid 


VVM 


4. 


JOH.V DE K.VRY 


Castle Ki 


!iry 


Somerset, England 


1-J70 


5. 


WlI,M.\.M K.VRY 


Castle Ki 


riry 


Somerset, England 


1300 


6. 


John C.vky 


St. Giles- 


in-the-IIeatli 


Devon, England 


1325 


7. 


John C.utv 


lit )1 way 




Devon, Engljuid 


1350 


8. 


UonERT Cary 


liulway 




Devon, England 


1375 


9. 


Philip Cary 


Hohvay 




Devon, England 


1400 


10. 


\VlLLI.\.M C.VHY 


Cockington 


Devon, England 


1430 


11. 


RonERT Cary 


Clovclly 




Devon, England 


1 KIO 


12. 


William C.vry 


Bristol 




Somerset, England 


1.30U 


13. 


Robert Cary 


Bristol 




Somerset, England 


1525 


11-. 


\NlLLI\\I ("aHV 


Bristol 




Somerset, England 


l.KiO 


15. 


John (ahv 


Bristol 




Somerset, England 


Kilo 


Hi. 


John Cary 






Dnxbiiry, Mass. 


1045 


17. 


James C.^jry 






Bridge water, Mass. 


1680 


18. 


J.\.MES Cary 






Newport. \\. I. 


1728 


19. 


John C.vry 






Kinderhouk, X. Y. 


1755 


20. 


John Cary 






Belcher, X. Y. 


1793 


21. 


Seth C. Cary 






Belcher, X. Y. 


1838 


22. 


Knibloe HotrroN (' 


AHY 




Beverly, Ma.ss. 


1882 



[ Page seventy-six ] 



/" 



HNlr'09 



